GLOBE News
October 2016 GLOBE News Brief
Lake Victoria Learning Exhibition Succeeds in Engaging Youth
in Vital Hands-On Research
The GLOBE Africa Regional Coordinating Office (RCO), YLACES (Youth Learning As Citizen Environmental Scientists), GLOBE Kenya, and the GLOBE Implementation Office (GIO) successfully completed the first Lake Victoria Learning Expedition in Africa. The expedition took place from 18 through 24 September. The expedition team, led by Africa RCO Coordinator Mark Brettenny, provided equipment, training, and evaluation of schools on the shores of Lake Victoria in water monitoring, and engaged schools around the world in learning about the lake and in comparing measurements with data from other lakes.
News
Register for the 2017 GLOBE IVSS Informational Webinar: 19 October
Register today for the "2017 International Virtual Science Symposium Webinar." This webinar, hosted by Dr. Julie Malmberg of the GIO and Matt Silberglitt of WestEd, will take place on 19 October 2016 at 10:00 a.m. MT (12:00 p.m. ET). The webinar will cover the instructions, badges, rubrics, and guidelines for the science symposium. Click here to register for the webinar (which will be recorded for later viewing).
The comment period for input on the scoring rubrics for the 2017 IVSS is now closed. Based upon feedback, updated rubrics for K-16 will be released in October.
IVSS Timeline:
- Rubric comment period 01 August 2016 - 31 August 2016
- Rubrics posted in October 2016
- Informational Webinar 19 October 2016 (10:00 a.m. MT/12:00 p.m. ET)
- Reports accepted for submission from 01 January 2017 to 03 April 2017
- Reports and presentations due by 03 April 2017
- Scores and badges announced on 15 May 2017
Important Note: Although you can submit your project in a language other than English, only projects submitted in English will be scored. Have other questions about the IVSS? Check out the FAQs!
Phase II of GLOBE El Niño - Now "ENSO" - Student Research Campaign Ramps Up; Register for Upcoming Webinar on 18 October
Phase II - 2016-2017 of the GLOBE El Niño Field Campaign has begun - with a new name: GLOBE ENSO Student Research Campaign.
El Niño and La Niña are important climatic phenomenon that can have impacts on the climate globally causing flooding and droughts as well as causing changes in seasonal weather. These interactions around the world are called teleconnections. Considering the importance of this issue, a GLOBE ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) Campaign has been formulated to engage students in determining where and how much El Niño affects local places and to put students in contact with their local environment.
During Phase II, students will use at least two of the GLOBE protocols to observe changes from climate averages and correlate temperature and precipitation measurements with observations of phenology changes. Local analyses will be compared across the participating schools and examined in the broader spatial context afforded by satellite observations.
As during Phase I, the campaign will be hosting regular webinars to discuss the mechanics of the campaign, give updates on data collection, and learn science content from experts. The next webinar, "Taking GLOBE Data to the Next Level," will be presented on Tuesday, 18 October, at 8:00 p.m. (12:00 a.m. UTC). This hour-long webinar will provide a quick review of the six protocols involved in the campaign and the potential for using the data as part of the GLOBE Student Research Symposium. You can register now for all upcoming webinars and view past webinars.
Throughout the campaign, regular guest blogs will be posted. In addition, there is information on the science of ENSO and how to participate in the campaign and engage in discussion opportunities, as well as vital analysis tools and numerous resources on the webpage. Keep checking back to discover what's new with Phase II of the campaign! If you haven't already, you can join the GLOBE ENSO Student Research Campaign today! (También chequea: Como Participar en Español y Como Participar en Português.)
Opportunities for Students
(U.S. opportunities are often highlighted in the News Brief; however, if there are opportunities for GLOBE students and/or teachers in your region that you would like us to highlight in the coming months, please send the information to: communications@globe.gov. Thank you!)
NASA's High School Aerospace Scholars Application Offers Unique Opportunity for Texas (USA) Juniors
The High School Aerospace Scholars application is now open (through October). High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) is a NASA unique opportunity for juniors who are interested in STEM careers at no cost to participants. Selected students will participate in an interactive, online course (which will begin in November) that will culminate in an all-expense-paid trip to NASA's Johnson Space Center in the summer. Eligibility requirements include: a U.S. citizen; a Texas high school junior committed to a one-year relationship with NASA; and Internet access (from home, school or public library).
Opportunities for U.S. Teachers
GOES-R Launch Workshop for G6-12 Teachers
A two-day teacher workshop and launch viewing of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites - R Series (GOES-R) will take place at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) from 04-05 November 2016. The GOES-R launch is currently scheduled for 04 November. (If the launch date changes the workshop dates will shift accordingly.) Currently, only U.S. citizens can attend. If you are interested, click here and register!
Call for Abstracts for the 2017 Annual Conference of the Citizen Science Association by 10 October
Join practitioners and researchers from across the field of Citizen Science. The 2017 Annual Conference of the Citizen Science Association will be held 17-20 May in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA. The conference will feature keynote speakers, concurrent sessions, and poster presentations (call for abstracts open through Oct 10), a citizen science festival hosted by the Science Museum of Minnesota, and opportunities to showcase your project in front of a growing community!
NASA STEM Educator Webinars
The NASA STEM Educator Professional Development Collaborative (EPDC) is presenting a series of webinars open to all educators. All pre-service, K-12, and informal educators, as well as university faculty, are invited to join NASA education specialists to learn about NASA missions, activities, lesson plans, educator guides, and online resources that integrate NASA and STEM into the classroom.
In October, EPDC will be presenting two GLOBE-focused webinars:
"NASA Weathering the Storm - Earth Right Now: NASA Literacy Resources in Earth Science" is geared toward educators in grade levels K-8. This webinar will be presented on 11 October, 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT). Participants will learn about NASA interactive online books and NASA/NOAA and The GLOBE Program books.
"NASA Weathering the Storm - Earth Right Now: Atmosphere" is geared toward educators in grade levels K-12. This webinar will be presented on 12 October, 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT). Participants will learn about The GLOBE Program.
GISN Members: Two Volunteer Positions Available for 2017 IVSS
There are two volunteer opportunities for GISN (GLOBE International STEM Network) members to be involved with the 2017 GLOBE International Virtual Science Symposium (IVSS). Student projects are due on 03 April 2017 and judging will take place 23 through 29 April 2017.
You can volunteer to work as a research mentor for student groups and/or you can volunteer to help judge the student projects in 2017. Please complete the GISN Interest Form today! (If you would like to volunteer for both options, please check both boxes on the form.) We appreciate your interest in helping with the 2017 IVSS! If you have any questions, please contact help@globe.gov.
Join the Growing Ranks of Citizen Earth Scientists - Experience the New GLOBE Observer App!
All you need to contribute to NASA's studies of our home planet is a smartphone, access to the outdoors, and the new GLOBE Observer App.
The initial release of the app, which is available for Apple and Android phones, allows users to collect observations of clouds, which are a critical part of the global climate system. Additional types of observations are planned for GLOBE Observer (and you won't even have to reinstall the app), including land cover and the identification of mosquito larvae. This is an exciting opportunity to become a vital part of the GLOBE citizen science initiative.
Summary of 2015 GLOBE Annual Survey is Now Online
The 2015 Summary of the U.S. Partner and Country Coordinators Annual Survey is now online. The GLOBE Implementation Office would like to thank everyone who provided feedback.
This year, The GLOBE Program invited all GLOBE partners, scientists, and teachers to participate in the GLOBE Annual Survey. By broadening the reach of the survey, previously meant for partners only, the goal was to learn more about the needs of all members of the GLOBE community. Your feedback to questions, developed with the help of the Working Groups, continues to provide the data GLOBE needs to better serve community members in the years ahead.
Why Should You Join the GISN? Meaningful Mentoring and Scientific Connections!
Why join the GLOBE International STEM Network (GISN)? As a GISN member, you can meaningfully connect with an international network of STEM professionals who work with GLOBE students around the world conducting science.
The GISN provides you with an exciting opportunity to inspire young minds and interact with the next generation. As a GISN member, you can access the GLOBE database, which extends over 20 years and includes data in most Earth system science research areas that can be used to supplement standard research data. You can also mentor students for the International Virtual Science Symposium. As a GISN member, you can even propose your own protocols or a campaign!
GISN professionals contribute to science education in a unique way that can result in a lasting impression on student interest in science, as well as scientific literacy. Join this international network today! Teachers, students, and community members: connect directly with a GISN member today!
Upcoming 2016 GLOBE Teacher Training Workshops
Upcoming GLOBE teacher training workshops include:
- Hays, Kansas, USA (Fort Hays State University): 10 October (open to all teachers)
- Reading, Pennsylvania, USA (The Nature Place): 10 October (open to all teachers)
- Zadar, Croatia (OS Zadarski otoci): 14-15 October (Restricted to teachers in the region)
- Pierre, South Dakota, USA (STEM Quick Stops): 24 October - 24 April 2017 (Restricted to teachers in the region)
- Durham, New Hampshire, USA (University of New Hampshire): 18 October (Open to all teachers)
- Pierre, South Dakota, USA (STEM Quick Stops: Elementary GLOBE): 24 October - 24 April 2017 (restricted to teachers in the region)
- Butler, Ohio, USA (Mohican School in the Out-of-Doors, Inc.): 29 October (Open to all teachers)
- Tartu, Estonia (Nature Museum of University of Tartu): 18-19 November (Restricted to teachers in the region)
- Flushing, New York, USA (Queens College) 18-20 November (Restricted to teachers in the region)
- Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA (UND Clifford Hall): 27 July 2017 - 01 August 2017 (open to all teachers)
Anniversaries
Congratulations to the ten GLOBE countries celebrating anniversaries of successful GLOBE implementation during the month of October:
Bangladesh - 16 years
04 October 2000
Colombia - 18 years
28 October 1998
Jordan - 20 years
31 October 1996
Lithuania - 14 years
03 October 2002
Luxembourg - 20 years
10 October 1996
Marshall Islands - 20 years
17 October 1996
Namibia - 19 years
08 October 1997
Paraguay - 16 years
27 October 2000
Portugal - 20 years
23 October 1996
Serbia and Montenegro - 14 years
17 October 2002
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News Topics: News Briefs type: globe-news
News origin: GLOBE Implementation Office